Men, heavy boozing is destroying your 4-5!

Excessive drinking is a major cause of erectile dysfunction — when a man cannot get an erection.

Such problems with 4-5s due to booze is also a symptom of cardiovascular issues that could lead to heart disease and strokes.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the country. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa, 225 people die of heart disease every day, and 10 suffer from a stroke every hour.

Dr Shingai Mutambirwa, head of urology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, said erectile dysfunction has many causes, but heavy drinking is a major one

“Drinking too much prevents blood flow to the penis. The blood vessels need to open to let the blood flow in and close to keep the blood in the tissues which create a firm erection. Alcohol damages blood vessels, making them unable to close, and damaged blood vessels hold only a weak erection at best,” the doctor said.

Dr Mutambirwa advised men to slow down on their drinking for the sake of their health.

“The moderate limit is 14 units of alcohol a week, or two a day according to Britain’s health authorities. To be safe, I recommend one- and-a-half units a day for men and one for women.

“Men and women metabolise alcohol differently... Women have lower levels of the two enzymes that break down alcohol in the stomach and liver, but more body fat, which slows alcoholic metabolism,” said Mutambirwa.

Dr Bhekifa Dube, vascular surgeon at Green Acres Hospital, said men with erectile dysfunction have a higher risk of getting cardiovascular diseases leading to strokes and heart attacks.

“Excessive alcohol intake degrades the health of this heart problem group and only adds to multiple organ malfunction. Too much alcohol intake may result in problems such as cardiomyopathy, which adds to worsening risk and prognosis of heart attacks.”

Marshall Lamani, director of the Knysna Alcohol & Drug Centre, said men must not wait for alcohol to impair their health before seeking medical and mental help.

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